Archive for the 'Malcolm Smith' Tag Under 'USC' Category

The Register’s Michael Lev, in Seattle for the Seahawks-Saints game, tracked down former USC players Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan to get their thoughts on USC’s hiring of Steve Sarkisian as coach.

Smith was a USC linebacker from 2007-10 and Morgan was a USC linebacker from 2006-10. Both played during part of the time when Sarkisian was on Pete Carroll’s staff as offensive coordinator…

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MALCOLM SMITH

(on the hiring…) ``I’m excited. Sark has an attitude that’s perfect for us. I wish Coach O could have stayed in addition; he’s such a great recruiter. But I think the Sark hire is going to be great for our program. He’s going to get all the recruits that he needs. We should be back to dominance in the South.’'

Here's a breakdown of the four who didn't make the cut, listed in order of consideration:

LB Malcolm Smith: A better, more productive player than he generally is given credit for, Smith totaled 78 tackles (second on the team, despite missing two games), eight stops for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns and one interception. He didn't make the top five for two main reasons: (1) USC's overall linebacker play wasn't very good last season, and Smith was part of that group; (2) I'm not entirely sure who's replacing him. Smith played the "Will" last season, but USC weirdly has flopped its OLB designations this year. So I think the candidates are Marquis Simmons and Dion Bailey, listed 1-2 at "Sam" on the post-spring depth chart, but I'm not 100 percent certain. So I stayed away.

WR Ronald Johnson: A good college player but seldom healthy or consistent enough to be a true difference-maker. Johnson ranked second on the team in catches (64) and receiving yards (692) and first in receiving touchdowns (8) last season. He also took a punt back for a score. But he wasn't nearly as productive in the second half of the season (final five games: 21 catches, 163 yards), and the prime candidate to replace him, Kyle Prater, has a much bigger upside.

RB Allen Bradford: USC doesn't have anyone like him. But the Trojans have plenty of other capable runners, and Bradford wasn't even the team's leading rusher last season. Marc Tyler was, and he's back.

What's in store for the Trojans on Day 2 of the NFL draft? Here are my predictions:

** Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (pictured) will go in the latter half of the second round, to a team that plays a 4-3 defense. Possibilities include Tampa Bay, the New York Giants, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Seattle.

** Cornerback Shareece Wright will go in the latter half of the third round. Durability concerns are just to great for him to be selected higher. Possibilities include Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Carolina.

Below is an NFL scout's analysis of USC's prospects in the 2011 NFL draft, taking into account their careers, their final seasons and especially their postseason workouts.

We'll have complete coverage of all USC-related activity during the draft, which begins with Round 1 at 5 p.m. PT today. Rounds 2-3 are Friday, starting at 3 p.m. Rounds 4-7 take place Saturday morning.

OT TYRON SMITH

Scout's take: "Based on physical size, talent and athletic ability, he's probably the top tackle that meets those things. Him being a junior will temper you a little bit. But if you really need a tackle, he's probably the top tackle prospect. The athletic part, the jumping and running, that's all very good. He shows flexibility, strength and explosion. He's so physically imposing. And he has such long levers – an 85-inch wing spin, 36-inch arms and big hands."